History

 I have had this Lady on my mind a lot today.  These wonderful people are my Father's paternal grandparents.

Neil & Chloe Forsyth

I know that Memorial Day is to honor those who died in the service of our country. Although Chloe didn't die serving our country, I am so grateful for her example and willingness to offer to this country those things that were most precious to her.  Her family. 

Sargent Neil Snow Forsyth 1918 WWI

(This information comes from my Father's wonderful cousin who has documented so much priceless family history for us. Her blog can be found at: http://timeinablogttle.blogspot.com)  

In her words:

Neil and Chloe had only been married for less than 2 years when the war began and their first child, Thomas Rex Forsyth, was about 1 1/2 years of age. From  Neil's own words we read:

"June 7, 1914 – Before there was any signs or thought of war breaking out, I asked Patriarch [John L ]Gibb to come to dinner with me one Sunday, to give Lorenzo a blessing. After he had given Lorenzo one, I asked him to give me one, .... When I got this [patriarchal] blessing and read it over no one had thought of the first world war and Chloe and I both thought I would sometime be called on another foreign mission. We layed it away and forgot what it said.

"Sept 1, 1914 – Our second son Neil Scott [Forsyth] was born.  On Sunday Nov 1, [1914] I blessed our 2^nd son and gave him his name, Neil Scott.

 

Rex and Scott

 ** 1914 – When the war started in 1914, and Canada offered to send men to fight, I talked a lot against it and said let them fight their own battles. But after it had been on for two years, and some of our boys had been killed (I) began to think different.

"I talked to Chloe about going and helping bring it to an end, but never mentioned it to any others til April 1916. My bro in-law, Ammon Mercer [husband to his youngest sister Florence] and another of our school teachers and 4 more young men had enlisted and they were having a farewell dance for them. Major Hugh B. Brown came down from Cardston that morning to be at the dance. When I came from the office that night, I wanted Chloe to get ready and go to the dance with me, but she didn't feel like going. [From subsequent events we know she was about 5 months along with Uncle Ken.] She said I could go, if I promised not to enlist. I said I wanted to have a talk with Major Brown, but I wouldn't enlist. I went and had a talk with him, he asked me what Chloe thought about me going, and I said she didn't want me to go. He said he would not approve of any married man going without his wifes consent. When I got home she asked me what he said, and when I told her, she said, It’s decided that you don’t go. There was no more said about it. **

 

  "May 15, 1916 – I was at the station when the train from Cardston came in and I saw Major Brown get off. While we were eating dinner that day Chloe said, I hear Major Brown is in town again, I have been taking to Florence this morning and I have decided that if you think you should go, I would rather you would go now with Major Brown and our own boys, than go later with someone else. [*This connection to Major Brown was later instrumental in Neil's life being spared and getting proper care, when someone gave him poison as cough medicine.] I said, Shall I phone Major Brown when I get back to the office and tell him I am ready to enlist, She said suit yourself. So I called Major Brown and arranged the time to give my employer a 30 day notice and I would be ready to leave July 1^st.

 

"Sunday morning I took Rex and went to SS. Chloe stayed home with Scott, when I got home Chloe asked me if I remembered the blessing Bro. Gibb gave me, we thought I would be called on another foreign mission. She said “This is it.” She had read that blessing while I was at SS. Then – I read it and we both felt that it was intended that I should go to war, and we felt sure I would return safely. 

 

Rex & Scott

"June 10, 1916 – I got word from Major Brown that I must report at Medicine Hat for duty on June 20 as they were to leave there for overseas June 22. On June 12, we took stock at the lumber yard and turned it over to Campbell, but I stayed to on to help him until June 19.

"June 20, 1916. I went to Medicine Hat and stayed at a hotel that night. My sister Florence Mercer stayed at that hotel and was still there to see her husband off the morning of June 22. We passed through Fort Williams June 23.

"June 26, 1916 – We arrived at Ottowa at 4 a.m. at 8 a.m. we marched up to the parliament building and were inspected by His Honor the Duke of Canaught. As we went through the English speaking settlements across Canada, the people welcomed us with cheers, but the French settlements in Quebec Province had no cheers for us. We stopped and marched through the town of North Bay. A small boy came and took hold of my hand, and held it all through the parade. He told me his father had gone to the war. It made me think of my two boys at home with their mother [who happens to be 7 months along expecting their third child]."

 

Chloe with Rex, Scott, and baby Kenneth

The first time I read this account I had been feeling a little bit sorry for myself. I was about 8.5 months pregnant with Hannah Jane, and feeling pretty overwhelmed with my day to day responsibilities with our boys, the house, and my church responsibilities. 

 After reading I gained a much better perspective on my situation. It helped me to count my many many many blessings.  Yes, I didn't see Matt a whole lot, or get much help from him because he was so busy with school, but he was home. He wasn't going off to fight in a terrible war and leaving me home alone with my two boys and a baby on the way.  I am so spoiled and live such a comfortable life. I owe much of that to people like Grandma Chloe who sacrificed so much for the future.

 

Grandpa Neil went on to serve for 3 years in England and France.  He had many faith promoting experiences and trials during his service. 

 

You can read a full account of his WWI experience here. 

(its really super, you should read it!)

 

This is another part that really got to me: 

 "June 26 1919, We arrived in Medicine Hat at 1:20 a.m. We went to the Demobilization Bldg and had a bath and went to bed. We were demobilized at 8:30 a.m. and left for Lethbridge at 12 noon. Emil Ehlert was there with Chloe and the three boys to meet me, and he took us to Magrath in his car. Kenneth will be 3 years old Sept 2 and he sat on my lap for the first time on the way home."

 

Neil & Chloe with Rex, Scott and Kenneth

  **World War II brought many changes to the home of Neil and Chloe. When Neil fought in the 1^st world war, it was said to be the war to end all wars. Now just 20 years later their sons would have to go to war.

 

The last picture of Neil & Chloe and all of their children. My Grandpa, Duane is on the far right. 1937

4 of their sons served during in WW2.

RCMP George Kenneth Forsyth

 

Army Private Mylo Wilfred Forsyth

 

RCAF Sgt Duane H Forsyth

 

 

FO Thomas Rex Forsyth

 Taken from their Sister Ruth's account:

"Mar 13 1944, Rex was assigned to an 8 member crew, with approx 30 crews in his unit. April 18, was their first night bombing raid on the outskirts of Paris. April 20^th, they were again over enemy territory in northern France. April 24^th this attack was over Germany, with Canadian and British squadrons. This was a long tiring flight—600 miles round trip.

April 26 – With a force of almost 500 aircraft, Rex’s unit bombed the Ruhr valley, with great success. April 27^th they were called out again to strike the enemies communication system. Their target was 400 miles each way, located in eastern Belgium close to the German border. All bombers hit their targets but 15 aircraft failed to return and Rex’s was one of them. Rex gave his life on a distant battlefield, fighting for his country and all the things in which he believed.

 

 "In August Chloe came to Edmonton to visit Chick (Chick was Rex's wife) and stayed with Ruth a couple of nights. She is still mourning the loss of her son and is glad she doesn't have more sons overseas. ... In October [Chloe, Neil and Chick] received the official notice that Rex is dead, so there is now no hope of his return. Ruth went home for Christmas. Duane, Mylo and Garth and Bryce were all there. We all spent time with Scott and Gladys in their new home but it was a sad year for all of us."

 

(a full account of the family during WW2 can be found here.) 

 

I hope so earnestly that we can continue to defend and uphold the freedoms and safety we enjoy here in this country.  I'm so grateful for my ancestors and all others who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice so much for me, and for all of us who call this country home.